Joseph Parker has never been closer to re-entering the heavyweight title fray and is now in position to remind the boxing world why he belongs on that stage. 

The former heavyweight titlist is preparing for a second straight fight in the United States, as his team has revealed plans for a February ring return. The news is in line with the suggested time frame as previously told to the World Boxing Organization (WBO) by Matchroom Boxing's Joshua Roy in hopes of keeping the New Zealander highly ranked among the organization whose title he proudly held for more than 15 months. 

Details remain cryptic as to when, where and against whom, although his immediate team has confirmed receipt of marching orders. 

"There are concrete plans, which it's not my place to announce," David Higgins, Parker's manager revealed to Sky Sports. "But there is a date and a venue, and it's the opponent we're waiting on.

"We've been told it will be late February and the United States is what we're told. We're just waiting on who the opponent is."

Inquires placed to Matchroom Boxing representatives seeking comment were not returned as this goes to publish.

Parker (26-2, 20KOs) hasn't fought since scoring a 10th round knockout of Alex Leapai (32-8-4, 26KOs) last June in Providence, Rhode Island in his first bout shortly after signing with promoter Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing. Plans were in place for the former WBO titlist to collide with veteran heavyweight gatekeeper Derek Chisora last October on the road in London., only for Parker to have to withdraw due to falling ill after reportedly suffering a spider bite. 

Now fully recovered, Parker is prepared to get back at in 2020. Approaching his 28th birthday, the still relevant heavyweight is due to head to training camp in Las Vegas under the watchful eye of longtime head trainer and 1998 Olympic Silver medalist Kevin Barry. 

Whomever he faces, the opponent is being teased as relevant enough to generate interest in what lies ahead assuming a win comes of his next ring adventure. Parker has risen to the number two slot in the WBO heavyweight rankings, firmly behind mandatory challenger and former World cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (17-0, 13KOs). There has remained heavy speculation as to whether two-time unified heavyweight titlist Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21KOs) will be able to hold on to his slew of belts or if the sport's ugly politics will begin to create a vacancy or two. 

Joshua is currently pressed with two ordered mandatory title defenses—Usyk with the WBO and Bulgaria's Kubrat Pulev (28-1, 14KOs) with the International Boxing Federation (IBF).  The most consistent talk has Joshua next facing Pulev in the springtime, at which point a decision will have to be made whether Usyk is placed as challenger in waiting or if the WBO decides he will get to fight for a vacant title. 

The latter will be of great benefit to Parker, whom outpointed Andy Ruiz in their December 2016 vacant title fight between unbeaten heavyweights. Just two defenses followed before conceding the title to Joshua in their multi-belt unification bout in March 2018. A points loss to Dillian Whyte just four months later left him on the comeback trail, having since scored two straight wins though in search of the type of heavyweight peer that will justify his claim as deserving of a second shot at the title. 

"It will be someone decent," assures Higgins. "Joe had a good win over Alex Leapai who fought [former lineal champion Wladimir] Klitschko for a world title, and he won convincingly. It's another step-up.

"He's ranked at two now by the WBO, so it's basically another step towards a better opponent and then after that, should he get a good win, which I think he will, then challenge one of the big boys - Wilder, Fury. Joe will fight anyone."

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox